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2010 Global Appeal To End Stigma and Discrimination Against People Affected by Leprosy
Posted on 3 February 2010 by
15 world business leaders signed a message proclaiming their support for the principle of social integration and economic empowerment of people affected by leprosy in Mumbai on 25th January 2010 in the lead-up to World Leprosy Day on 31st January 2010.
At the launch of his Fifth Global Appeal To End Stigma and Discrimination Against People Affected by Leprosy Mr Yohei Sasakawa said this Appeal will “be a source of inspiration to a great many people who want to be part of society and who are beginning to stand up for themselves. It will also help to deter the kind of outrageous discrimination that shuts off opportunities to people with the desire and the ability to work, simply because of a disease they once had”. Mr Sasakawa is the WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination and Japanese Goodwill Ambassador for the Human Rights of People Affected by Leprosy and Chairman of The Nippon Foundation and launched his first such Appeal on behalf of people affected by leprosy in 2006.
In a message given at the ceremony, Sir Richard Branson, Chairman of Virgin Management Ltd and one of the signatories, expressed his pleasure in supporting this Appeal. He said: “As business leaders we have a responsibility to reject discrimination in all its forms and encourage equal opportunities for all. I hope the Global Appeal will send out a strong message that prejudice and stigma cannot be tolerated in the workplace.”
Mr Ratan N Tata, Chairman of the Tata Group, also endorsed this Appeal calling on the principle of equal opportunity in the work place for people affected by leprosy. Part of the Tata Group has a factory which employs people affected by leprosy. “This is a great example, and one that needs to be followed in all countries” according to Mr Sasakawa. He believes that one effective way to change the perception that people affected by leprosy are not useful is to give them the opportunity to work to show that they can contribute to society and be financially self-sufficient.
Click on the following link for the Global Appeal 2010:
http://www.nippon-foundation.or.jp/eng/20100125AppealContent.html
Categories: International Collaboration, News and Notes